Apparatus for shaping sheet metal wheel covers



Jan. 16, 1962 M. .1. CELOVSKY 3,015,853

APPARATUS FOR SHAPING SHEET METAL WHEEL COVERS Filed Sept. 25, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fi'g 2 ZZYVEJ'Y/QF M/CHAEL CELOVSKV by MQZWM, w

1962 M. J. CELOVSKY 3,016,853

APPARATUS FOR SHAPING SHEET METAL WHEEL COVERS Filed Sept. 23, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 [Hz EH 2271* M/Cl/flEL c/. 6220 vser 5 MgS.

Jan. 16, 1962 M. J. CELOVSKY 3,016,353

APPARATUS FOR SHAPING SHEET METAL WHEEL COVERS Filed Sept. 23, 1957 a Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. '16, 1962 M. J. CELOVSKY 3,016,353

APPARATUS FOR SHAPING SHEET METAL WHEEL COVERS Filed Sept. 23, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 A q 1 FE .27 [UP Man/15L C54 0 user Jan. 16, 1962 M. .1. CELOVSKY APPARATUS FOR SHAPING SHEET METAL WHEEL COVERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 23, 1957 [Z7275 H/UF M/c/MEL c/. CELOl/S/(V b g %u5 Jan. 16, 1962 M. J. CELOVSKY APPARATUS FOR SHAPING SHEET METAL WHEEL COVERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 23, 1957 ZZ-YVETY [UP Mew 45 c/. CELOI/JA/V United States atent O 3,016,853 APPARATUS FOR SHAPING SHEET METAL WHEEL COVERS Michael J. Ceiovsky, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Lyon Incorporated, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 23, 1957, Ser. No. 635,493 9 Claims. (Cl.113--48) The present invention relates to improvements in die structure especially adapted for final shaping of the marginal structure of drawn circular sheet metal covers for application to the outer sides of vehicle wheels.

A highly desirable method of making wheel covers is disclosed in the patent of George Albert Lyon, No. 2,707,- 449, issued May 3, 1955. A salient feature of that method resides in the turning radially outwardly an axially projecting rib at juncture of an axial flange having retaining means thereon and the body portion of the cover, so as to increase the overall diameter of the cover and also to provide a concealing, overhanging margin for the retaining means. However, under certain circumstances and particularly where a generally open high ridge contour is to be provided on the margin of the cover and including the out-turned portion, a substantial problem is encountered in a tendency for the underturned flange portion of the turned marginal structure intermediate the retaining fingers provided as the cover retaining means to buckle or twist as the shaping pressure is applied to the cover margin. This tendency toward buckling is especially pronounced where an extremely narrow axially turned extremity of the underturned flange is located between the retaining fingers.

It is accordingly an important object of the present invention to provide improved die structure with which a sheet metal wheel cover can be effectively provided with an out-turned high ridge contour marginal formation without danger of warping the material in the underturned flange of the cover margin between the retaining finger extensions on the underturned flange.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved die apparatus for marginally shaping sheet metal wheel covers in a manner enabling substantial economy in the use of material.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means in sheet metal cover making apparatus for coacting with selected marginal portions of the cover as the margin is being finally shaped, whereby to maintain a proper symmetry throughout the marginal formation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel sheet metal cover shaping die apparatus with back up and buffer means that are movable out of an internal engagement within a shaped marginal cover structure after completion of the forming operation.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an outer side elevational view of a wheel structure having a cover made according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary radial sectional detail view taken substantially on the line IIII of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on the line IIIIII of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmental radial sectional view 3,016,853 Patented Jan. 16, 1962 through a sheet metal cover blank in a partial stage of shaping thereof;

FIGURE 5 shows the partially formed blank in a further stage of shaping;

FIGURE 6 shows the same blank in still a further stage of shaping;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical fragmentary radial sectional detail view through die apparatus embodying features of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical radial sectional detail view through the same die apparatus but taken in a different plane;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional detail view similar to FIGURE 8 but showing the die apparatus as the parts thereof appear at the conclusion of a cover margin shaping stroke;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the die apparatus taken substantially in the plane of the line XX in FIGURE 9; and

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line XI-XI of FIGURE 9.

Referring to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, a wheel cover 15 is dimensioned for substantially overlying the outer side of a vehicle wheel including a wheel body or spider 17 supporting a multi-flange drop center tire rim 18 having a generally axially extending and radially inwardly facing annular intermediate flange 19 merging into a terminal flange 20 and adapted to support a pneumatic tire 21.

The cover 15 is adapted to be made by die pressing or drawing from suitable sheet material such as stainless steel, brass or the like. Centrally the cover comprises a crown portion 22 for substantially overlying the wheel body 17 and merging with a generally inwardly dished annular intermediate portion 23 from which extends generally radially and axially outwardly an annular tire rim overlying portion 24. On a generally axially outwardly projecting reinforcing annular rib or ridge juncture 25 at the radially and axially outwardly-most side of the cover portion 24 is an annular generally radially outwardly and axially inwardly sloping marginal portion 27 provided with an underturned extremity bead-like open rib rein forcing and finishing edge 23 for bottoming against the terminal flange 20 adjacent juncture thereof with the intermediate flange 19. Extending radially inwardly from the turned edge 23 is a short annular underturned flange portion 29 which, inwardly beyond the inside diameter of the intermediate flange 19 is provided with a plurality of integral generally axially inwardly extending retaining finger extensions 39 which are constructed and arranged to telescope into the intermediate flange 19 and retainingly engage the rim flange through the medium of turned generally radially and axially outwardly oblique short and stiff retaining finger terminals 31 which eifect a firm gripping biting-like self-retaining engagement with the surface of the rim flange under resilient tension of the retaining fingers 31} which are placed under radially inward resilient deflection from a slightly greater diameter at the tips of the terminals 31 incident to mounting of the cover on the wheel. In applying the cover to the outer side of the wheel, of course, a valve stem opening 32 in the cover portion 24 is registered with a valve stem 33.

In a preferred construction, there are four of the fingers 30 derived from the material at four corners of a square blank, and with each of the fingers of substantial width, comprising in atypical structure about /8 of the perimeter of the circle described about the fingers, and with each of the resilient fingers sub-divided into a plurality of individual finger extremities 34 by shallow sub-dividing notches 35 (FIG. 6).

Intermediate the finger extensions 30, the underturned flange 29 is provided with only a short turned extremity 35, if anything at all, serving as a reinforcement between adjacent ones of the finger extensions 30. This construction, it will be evident, provides a highly resilient cover marginal structure enhancing the resilient characteristics of the retaining fingers 30.

Drawing of the cover 15 may proceed generally in accordance with the method as taught in Patent 2,707,449 until the final shaping of the marginal structure of the cover. To this end, in the initial phases of the drawing of the sheet metal blank, the crown portion 22, the intermediate portion 23 and the radially outer portion 24 of the cover are drawn to shape, with the portion 24 extended radially and axially outwardly into an annular axially inwardly opening hollow axially outwardly projecting rib R from the radially outer side of which projects a fiat margin M comprising primarily material from the four corners of a square blank. Thereafter, the flat marginal material M is worked into axially inward direction to afford a generally cylindrical radially outer side wall for the rib R, and with the retaining fingers 30 trimmed to afford the sub-divisions 34 thereof, and the finger terminals 31 are formed. Then, the rib R is partially collapsed and turned generally radially outwardly, while maintaining the axial disposition of the retaining fingers 30 axially inwardly beyond a transverse or circurnferential shoulder bend line 37, with the outwardly tilted rib R remaining open at the inner side thereof. The cover as formed up to this point as generally depicted in FIGS. 4, and 6, is now ready for final shaping of the rib R into the reinforced, ridged marginal structure of the finished cover.

Bending and shaping of the turned out rib R to provide from the radially inner side wall portion thereof the principal area of the marginal portion 27, and from the spaced radially outer side wall or flange thereof the underturned flange 29 and the radially outer extremity of the cover portion 27, is effected by forming pressure applied to the radially inner portion of'the rib R while the remaining portions of the cover, and more particularly the immediately adjacent portion 24 of the cover, are held to shape. This is accomplished advantageously in the die apparatus of FIGURES 7-11.

In a preferred form, the die apparatus includes a lower die assembly having a preferably stationary die bed plate or block 38 carrying attached thereto a base ring 39 supporting an upstanding forming die ring structure 40. On its upper face, the die ring 40, as best seen in FIG- URE 7, is provided with a transverse contour complementary and conformably receptive of the inner side of the annular dished cover portion 23 in a circular groove-like inner upper marginal hollow or recess 41 from which slopes generally radially outwardly and axially upwardly an oblique face surface 42 conformable to the sloping radially outer surface 24 of the cover. At its upper end, the forming face or surface 42 terminates in a generally axially upwardly facing annular rib or ridge 43 which is shaped to conform to the desired axially inner surface of the marginal rib or ridge 25 into which juncture of the cover portions 24 and 27 is to be ultimately shaped. At its radially outer side, the forming ridge 43 is provided with a downwardly and radially outwardly generally oblique forming surface 44 against which the ridge end portion of the annular cover margin 27 is to be shaped. A cylindrical radially outer circumferential wall surface 45 on the ring die member 41) is of a diameter to receive telescopically thereabout the cover retaining finger extensions 30 in freely slidable but close relationship.

Centrally slidably guided by the inner periphery of the die ring member 40 is a die member pad 47 having a crown contour receptive conformably of the inner surface of the cover crown 22 in complementary relation. Normally the cover supporting central pad member 47 is supported by a suitable number of upward biasing springs 48, with the crown of the supporting pad member elevated substantially above the forming surfaces of the ring member 40 to support the cover clear of the forming ring member 45).

cooperatively related in reciprocal forming stroke relation above the lower die assembly is an upper forming die assembly which includes a circular hold-down pressure die member 49 having a lower face contoured to fit complementally into the dished cover portion 23 and conformable with the adjacent portions of respectively the crown supporting die member 47 and the radially outer cover portion 24, with the outer perimeter of the die member 49 of a diameter coincident with the tip of the forming ridge 43 of the lower die ring member 40. Reciprocable support for the die member 49 is provided by a supporting plate member 50 which may be removably secured to the underside of a press ram or block member 51. Suitable annular series of bolts 52 connect the die member 49 to the supporting plate 50 and are reciprocably mounted in the plate member 50 to enable support of the die member 49 a limited spaced distance below the supporting plate 50, into which spaced relation the die member 49 is normally urged by yieldable compression springs 53. Thereby, as the upper die assembly is projected toward the lower die assembly in a concentric forming stroke, the die member 49 moves as the initial contacting portion of the upper die assembly into hold-down thrusting engagement against the cover supported in elevated relation upon the lower yieldable supporting die member 47. By having the lower die member supporting springs 4-8 slightly more yieldable than the upper compression springs 53, continued downward thrusting movement of the upper die assembly causes the lower supporting die member 47 to yield downwardly in opposition to the springs 48 under the thrust of the holddown and pressure die member 49 until the cover marginal formation is brought into engagement with the forming ring die member 40.

When the cover portions 23 and 24 bottom against the ring die complementary surfaces 41 and 42, respectively, as thrust by the upper ring die member 49, yielding of the springs 53 under the continued thrust of the press ram carries a forming die ring member 54 fixedly supported by the supporting plate 56 into marginal shaping engagement with the turned cover marginal rib R. On its inner diameter, the die ring 54 provides a cylindrical guide surface for the corresponding slidably complementary outer diameter cylindrical surface of the upper hold-down die member 49.

The construction and relationship of the die ring member 54 with respect to the upper die assembly and more particularly the hold-down die member 49 is such that normally the die member 49 is projected downwardly sufficiently beyond the lower face of the forming die ring 54 to make initial engagement with the upper opposing surfaces of the partially formed cover in advance of the die ring 54 in the initial phases of the forming stroke of the upper die assembly. Thereby, the partially formed cover is driven into firm seating relation with the lower upwardly facing forming die ring 40 before the upper die ring member 54 acts formingly upon the partially turned out cover rib R.

When the partially formed cover has been clamped be tween the opposing surfaces of the lower die ring 40 and of the upper hold-down die member 49, continued downward thrusting movement of the upper die assembly carries the lower forming face of the die ring member 54 into forming engagement with the freely radially outwardly projecting cover marginal rib R. As a result, a lower forming face forming surface 55 on the inner margin of the forming face of the die ring member 54, opposing and complementary to the forming surface 44 of the lower die ring member 40, and contoured to the ultimately desired shape for the marginal cover portion 27, formingly presses down against the now upwardly facing cover marginal rib R. In this instance the forming surfaces 44 and 55 are complementally respectively concavely and convexly shaped on a substantial radius,

Progressively as the forming thrust pressure of the forming surface 55 acts upon the cover rib R, the radially inner wall portion of the rib R is bent down about the fulcrum provided by the forming ridge 43 of the lower die ring 40 uniformly entirely about the circumference of the cover, and the radially inner wall of the rib R is converted into the cover marginal portion 27 between the forming surfaces 44 and 55. At the same time, the radially outer wall of the cover marginal rib R is bent down to a substantially horizontal plane to provide the underturned flange 29 of the cover, with some of the material of the radially outer rib wall working over into the radially outermost extremity portion of the cover marginal portion 27, at the axially outer side of the juncture extremity 28 or edge of the cover. This results in a substantial stiffening cold working of the marginal extremity of the cover for enhancing the self-sustaining highly resilient character of the margin of the completed cover.

While the cover margin is being completed by the interaction of the lower and upper die members 40 and 54, the axially extending retaining fingers 30 engage slidably in firmly backed up relation against the lower die ring outer peripheral face 45, thus maintaining their shape and generally cylindrical disposition to a predetermined circumference or diameter. At completion of the forming operation, as indicated in dash outline in FIG. 7, the retaining fingers 30 are, of course, concealed behind the cover margin, with the now completely radially turned out rib R of the cover providing a substantially larger diameter for the cover than described about the retaining fingers 30.

Although the retaining fingers 30 due totheir substantial width and axial extent axially inwardly beyond the bend line shoulder 37 afford ample area for resisting twisting or buckling of the finger extensions or the aligned portions of the underturned flange 29 incident to the bending forces and stresses during the final marginal formation of the cover, due to the thorough backing of the substantial area of the retaining fingers 30 against the lower die ring back-up surface 45, a substantial problem is encountered insofar as the marginal areas between the fingers 3i) is concerned. Since the slightly turned extremity of the underturned flange portion 29 affords no significant backup engagement possibility against the back-up surface 45 of the lower die ring member, there is a tendency for the radially outer wall portion of the cover rib R to buckle and twist and deform during the final marginal formation of the cover between the lower die ring member 40 and the upper die ring member 54. To take care of this situation, the lower die ring member 40 is provided at suitable circumferentially spaced intervals, in the present instance at four intervals corresponding to the four betweenfinger areas of the cover margin, with respective supplemental retaining die members 57 (FIGS. 811). Operation of the holding or retaining members 57 is coordinated with forming strokes of the upper reciprocable die assembly.

The function of the die member 57 in each instance is to provide a positive anti-buckling back-up for the between-finger areas of the radially outer wall portion of the cover rib R during marginal formation of the cover but to remain positively clear of the cover margin during any reciprocal or up and down movements of the cover margin relative to the lower die assembly before or after the restrike marginal formation completing actions of the die apparatus. To this end, the respective die members 57 are movably mounted for actuation into and out of operative position during the forming stroke cyclical operation of the die apparatus. Herein, this is accomplished by providing the die member 57 with a body block 58 which may be of generally rectangular outline in plan and radially reciprocably slidably mounted on the lower supporting ring member 39 within a respective cut-out 59 in the lower forming die ring 40. This cut-out 59' is formed below the forming ridge 43 which thus remains continuous and unbroken throughout the complete annulus of the forming ring member 40. However, the uppermost limit of the cut-out 59 is close enough to the divergent surfaces of the ridge 43 and more particularly the forming surface 44 so that a radially outwardly projecting horizontally disposed holding rib nose 60 on the upper marginal extremity of the radially outer face of the die member body 53 is at the proper elevation to conformably engage above the lower and radially inner extremity portion of the radially outer flange wall portion of the cover ri'o R during the forming stroke of the die apparatus. Moreover, the upper or crown surface of the die member body 58 adjacent to the retaining rib nose 60 closely slidably engages as a supporting bearing with a downwardly facing fiat bearing surface 61 on the underside of the portion of the forming ridge 43 that bridges across the gap provided by the clearance cut-out 59. Thereby, forming pressure against the bridging portion of the ridge 43 in each instance is effectively prevented from damagingly deflecting the bridging portions of the ridge by virtue of the solid support afforded by the movable die member body 58 which rests solidly on the supporting die ring 39.

Normally the die member 57 is urged by a pair of compression springs 62 (FIGS. 8 and 10) toward retracted position wherein the retaining nose rib 60 underlies the forming ridge 43 and within the perimeter of the vertical radially outer surface 45 of the forming ring 40. Locating sockets 63 for the respective springs 62 are provided in a retaining block 64 mounted on the bed plate 38 within a respective locating notch 65 in the outer periphery of the supporting die ring member 39 (FIGS. 10 and 11). In the retracted position of the die member 57, a clearance cut-back or recess 67 in the upper portion thereof radially inwardly from the nose rib 6t] and generally conforming to the contour of the lower forming die ring surface 42 is provided to clear the cover portion 24 as the cover is driven downwardly by the upper hold-down die ring member 49 during a forming stroke of the upper die assembly.

Means are provided for effecting protraction of the holding rib nose 60 in coordination with the forming stroke of the upper die assembly. Herein this is effected by means of a cam die member 68 carried by the upper ram portion 51 in backed up relation against the outer periphery of the head plate 50 and the forming ring member 54 (FIGS. 8, 9 and 10). On its lower end portion which projects suitably below the lower face of the forming die member 54, the cam die member 68 has an oblique cam surface 69 which faces generally outwardly and is engageable in proper coordination with the forming die ring 54 to engage a complementary cam surface 70 provided at the outer side of a clearance opening 71 in an integral outwardly projecting actuating tongue 72 on the retaining die body 58 and slidably supported upon the retaining block 64 which is provided with a clearance recess 73 in the upper face thereof into which the driving cam end of the cam die can project in operative rela tion as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. A pair of removable gibs 74 cooperate with lateral longitudinal side flanges 75 on the actuating tongue 72 to serve as reciprocation guides for the tongue.

The relationship of the cam die member 68 to the actuating tongue 72 is such that after the partially formed cover has been pressed by the hold-down ring die member 49 against the forming die member 40, and before the forming die member 54 exerts any appreciable forming pressure on the cover rib R, the driving cam 69 engages the cam surface 70 and begins to move the die member 57 outwardly into position over the underlying extremity of the between-finger extent or area of the radially outer flange wall of the cover rib R. Hence, as the cover margin is formed by the forming surface 55, the retaining nose 60 is projected progressively radially outwardly into the radially inwardly opening groove defined between the formed cover marginal portions 27 and 29 and more particularly is driven toward the underturned flange turned extremity 35 which engages firmly againt a complementally formed undersurface 77 provided in undercut relation on the lower side'of the rib nose 60, as best seen in FIG. 9. Since the rib nose 60 and the undercut forming and retaining surface '77 thereof are circumferentially curved complementary to and conformable to the curvature of the cover margin, a thorough back-up support for the underturned between-finger flange portion of the cover margin is provided which prevents buckling or undesirable distortion but maintains substantial symmetry with respect to the portions of the underturned flange aligned with the retaining fingers 30.

After the forming operation or stroke, the upper die assembly is backed oh? by the actuating means of the press and as an incident thereto, the cam die member 68 releases the die member 57 in each instance. Hence, the biasing springs 62 retract the die member 57 to withdraw the retaining and forming nose rib 60 from over the cover flange 29 and out of the interior of the radially inwardly opening groove or chamber now defined within the turned-over rib R in the finished cover margin. Then, the spring biased supporting pad 47 of the lower die assembly can act as a stripper to elevate the now fully formed cover clear of the lower die forming ring 40 for removal from the die assembly and replacement by a succeeding partially formed cover to be subjected to the action of the die assembly on a repetition of the forming stroke cycle.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a cover restrike die apparatus, relatively closable and openable coactive die assemblies receptive therebetween in the opened condition thereof of a partially formed sheet metal wheel cover having a marginal generally axially projecting annular open rib defined by a radially inner side wall and a radially outer side wall with a plurality of substantially circumferentially spaced retaining finger extensions of substantial width projecting generally axially from the extremity of said outer side wall and separated by substantial recesses defined by the extremity of said outer side wall in the between-finger areas thereof, one of said assemblies having die structure for bendingly moving the cover rib to project radially outwardly to a substantially larger diameter than the diameter of said finger extensions and thereby forming a radially inwardly opening groove between said walls, and the other of said die assemblies having fixed diameter structure complementary to said finger extensions for retaining the finger extensions within a predetermined diameter While the rib is bent and formed as aforesaid, and means on said other die assembly operatively movable relative to said fixed means for engagement within said groove with the between-finger areas of said outer side wall incident to the bending and forming of the rib to support and maintain said between-finger areas substantially symmetrical with the areas of said outer wall aligned with the finger extensions.

2. In a cover restrike die apparatus, relatively closable and openable coactive die assemblies receptive therebetween in the opened condition thereof of a partially formed sheet metal wheel cover having a marginal generally axially projecting annular open rib defined by a radially inner side wall and a radially outer side wall with a plurality of substantially circumferentially spaced retaining finger extensions of substantial width projecting generally axially from the extremity of said outer side wall and separated by substantial recesses defined by the extremity of said outer side wall in the between-finger areas thereof, one of said assemblies having die structure 8 for bendingly moving the cover rib to project radially outwardly to a substantially larger diameter than the diameter of said finger extensions and thereby forming a radially inwardly opening groove between said walls, and the other of said die assemblies having fixed diameter structure complementary to said finger extensions for retaining the finger extension within a predetermined diameter while the rib is bent and formed as aforesaid, and means on said other die assembly operatively movable relative to said fixed means for engagement within said groove with the between-finger areas of said outer side wall incident to the bending and forming of the rib to support and maintain said between-finger areas substantially symmetrical with the areas of said outer wall aligned with the finger extensions, said between-finger area engaging means comprising die members having nose-rib structure contoured to engage the between-finger areas of the radially outer wall flange conformably.

3. In apparatus-for final shaping of a marginal rib formation on a sheet metal cover extending generally axially in one direction and with cover retaining finger extensions projecting axially in the opposite direction from a radially outer Wall portion of the rib spaced from a radially inner Wall portion of the rib and with substantial between-finger areas of the outer Wall portion substantially shorter than the finger extensions, a die assembly having a ring die member with a surface thereof contoured for receiving the axially inner side of the cover adjacent to the inner wall of said cover rib and including a continuous circular forming ridge formingly underlying the inner Wall portion of the cover rib, generally axially extending outer peripheral wall surfaces provided by said ring die member opposingly engageable with the radially inner sides of the finger extensions, respective circumferentially spaced recesses in said ring die member under said ridge and with the portions of said ridge overlying said recesses integrally bridging across the recesses, reciprocable die members mounted in said recesses and having forming and supporting nose ribs thereon normally disposed in retracted relation underlying said ridge and located for engagement with the between-finger areas of said cover rib outer Wall flange, and a second die assembly relatively reciprocably related cooperatively with respect to the first mentioned die assembly and including a circular hold-down die member for clamping the cover against said ring die member and a forming die ring bendingly shapingly engageable with the cover rib to bend said cover rib inner Wall portion over said forming ridge and thereby underturning the outer wall portion of the cover rib to provide an underturned marginal flange defining a radially opening groove with said inner wall portion while the cover retaining finger extensions slidably engage said axial surfaces and are thereby maintained in predetermined circumferential diametrical relation, and means carried by said second die assembly operable to coact with complementary means on said reciprocab'le die members for moving said die members to project said nose ribs into engagement with the betweenfinger areas of the radially outer cover rib wall portions within said groove coincident with the bending shaping action of said ring die of the second die assembly.

4. In apparatus for final shaping of a marginal rib formation on a sheet metal cover extending generally axially in one direction and with cover retaining finger extensions projecting axially in the opposite direction from a radially outer wall portion of the rib spaced from a radially inner wall portion of the rib and with substantial between-finger areas of the outer wall portion substantially shorter than the finger extensions, a die assembly having a ring die member with a surface thereof contoured for receiving the axially inner side of the cover adjacent to the inner wall of said cover rib and includ ing a continuous circular forming ridge formingly underlying the inner wall portion of the cover rib, generally axially extending outer peripheral wall surfaces provided by said ring die member opposingly engageable with the radially inner sides of the finger extensions, respective circumferentially spaced recesses in said ring die mem-' her under said ridge and with the portions of said ridge overlying said recesses integrally bridging across the recesses, reciprocable die members mounted in said recesses and having forming and supporting nose ribs thereon normally disposed in retracted relation underlying said ridge and located for engagement with the betweenfinger areas of said cover rib outer wall flange, and a second die assembly relatively reciprocably related cooperatively with respect to the first mentioned die assembly and including a circular hold-down die member for clamping the cover against said ring die member and a forming die ring bendingly shapingly engageable with the cover rib to bend said cover rib inner wall portion over said forming ridge and thereby underturning the outer wall portion of the cover rib to provide an underturned marginal flange defining a radially opening groove with said inner wall portion while the cover retaining finger extensions slidably engage said axial surfaces and are thereby maintained in predetermined circumferential diametrical relation, and means carried by said second die assembly operable to coact with complementary means on said reciprocable die members for moving said die members to project said nose ribs into engagement with the between-finger areas of the radially outer cover rib wall portions within said groove coincident with the bending shaping action of said ring die of the second die assembly, said reciprocable die members providing compression support for the bridging overlying portions of the forming ridge.

5. In apparatus for final shaping of a marginal rib formation on a sheet metal cover extending generally axially in one direction and with cover retaining finger extensions projecting axially in the opposite direction from a radially outer wall portion of the rib spaced from a radially inner wall portion of the rib and with substantial betweenfinger areas of the outer wall portion substantially shorter than the finger extensions, a die assembly having a ring die member with a surface thereof contoured for receiving the axially inner side of the cover adjacent to the inner Wall of said cover rib and including a continuous circular forming ridge formingly underlying the inner wall portion of the cover rib, generally axially extending outer peripheral Wall surfaces provided by said ring die member opposingly engageable with the radially inner sides of the finger extensions, respective circumferentially spaced recesses in said ring die mem ber under said ridge and with the portions of said ridge overlying said recesses integrally bridging across the recesses, reciprocable die members mounted in said recesses and having forming and supporting nose ribs thereon normally disposed in retracted relation underlying said ridge and located for engagement with the between-finger areas of said cover rib outer Wall flange, and a second die assembly relatively reciprocably related cooperatively with respect to the first mentioned die assembly and including a circular hold-down die member for clamping the cover against said ring die member and a forming die ring bendingly shapingly engageable with the cover rib to bend said cover rib inner wall portion over said forming ridge and thereby underturning the outer wall portion of the cover rib to provide an underturned marginal flange defining a radially opening groove with said inner wall portion while the cover retaining finger extensions slidably engage said axial surfaces and are thereby maintained in predetermined circumferential diametrical relation, and means carried by said second die assembly operable to coact with complementary means on said reciprocable die members for moving said die members to project said nose ribs into engagement with the between-finger areas of the radially outer cover rib wall portions within said groove coincident with the bending shaping action of said ring die of the second die assembly, said first mentioned die assembly including means for normally maintaining the reciprocable die members in their retracted position and yieldable to enable said projection of the die members.

6. In apparatus for making sheet metal wheel covers, means for shaping a marginal generally axially extending rib of a cover member provided with generally axially oppositely extending retaining fingers of substantial width and with substantial recess areas between the fingers, said means including die structure engageable clampingly with the cover at the radially inner side of the rib, die means movable axially into shaping engagement with the rib to turn a radially inner wall of the rib to project generally radially outwardly and a radially outer wall into position under said radially inner wall as an underturned flange to thereby form a radially inwardly opening groove between the walls, and means for maintaining the finger extensions to their radial diameter and including structure movable operatively relative to the finger extension maintaining means from a radially inwardly retracted position to a radially outwardly protracted position for engagement within said groove and over at least the inner terminal portion of the between-finger areas of the radially outer rib wall as it is turned under by said die means, so as to avoid buckling distortions of said radially outer rib wall during said shaping of the cover rib.

7. In apparatus for making sheet metal wheel covers, means for shaping a marginal generally axially extending rib of a cover member provided with generally axially oppositely extending retaining fingers of substantial width and with substantial recess areas between the fingers, said means including die structure engageable clampingly with the cover at the radially inner side of the rib, die means movable axially into shaping engagement with the rib to turn a radially inner wall of the rib to project generally radially outwardly and a radially outer wall into position under said radially inner wall as an underturned flange to thereby form a radially inwardly opening groove between the walls, and means for maintaining the finger extensions to their radial diameter and including structure movable operatively relative to the finger extension maintaining mean from a radially inwardly retracted position to a radially outwardly protracted position for engagement within said groove and over at least the inner terminal portion of the between-finger areas of the radially outer rib wall as it is turned under by said die means, so as to avoid buckling distortions of said radially outer rib wall during said shaping of the cover rib, said finger extension maintaining means comprising generally axially extending surface areas of fixed die means and said relatively movable structure comprising die members which are movably mounted for retraction within the circumference of said surface areas and for projection beyond said surface areas during the between-finger wall overlying function of the die members.

8. In a cover restrike die apparatus, relatively closable and openable coactive upper and lower die assemblies receptive therebetween in the open condition thereof of a sheet metal wheel cover member having a return-bent generally radially outwardly projecting marginal formation provided with a retaining flange formation projecting generally axially therebehind, the lower die assembly having a ring member provided with an upper forming face including a portion engageable with the axially inner side of the cover member radially inwardly adjacent to said retaining flange structure of the cover member, said ring die member having a radially outwardly facing cylindrical surface against which the retaining flange structure of the cover is engageable, said face of the ring die member having an upwardly and radially inwardly generally oblique conical forming surface joining a radially outwardly and axially downwardly oblique surface providing a face portion on an upwardly projecting annular ridge, said upper die assembly having a circular hold-down pressure die member complementary to and thrustable toward said lower ring die face portion and being of an outside diameter about equal to an effective diameter of said ridge, and a forming die ring member of an inside effective diameter of the effective diameter of said ridge carried by the upper die assembly about said hold-down pressure die member and having a lower forming face including a forming surface complementary to the oblique forming surface of said lower ring die member face and operable on said cover margin to bend the same to project obliquely downwardly and radially outwardly conformable to said oblique forming surface while said retaining flange structure is held against buckling under by said radially facing surface of said lower ring die member.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said lower ring die member has radially opening recesses therein below said ridge and oblique surface, and reciprocably mounted die members in said recesses having radially outwardly projecting rib nose structure thereon immediately adjacent to said oblique conical forming surface and projectable radially outwardly into position relative to such surface to provide a radially outward extension of said oblique conical surface cooperative with said upper die ring member in shaping said cover marginal portion over said oblique conical surface.

References (Iited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 284,440 Lamont Sept. 4, 1883 1,393,752 Coates Oct. 18, 1921 1,705,843 Walter Mar. 19, 1929 2,080,866 Lobdell May 18, 1937 2,101,888 Ambrasius Dec. 14, 1937 2,358,984 Lyon Sept. 26, 1944 2,386,223 Lyon Oct. 9, 1945 2,681,027 Boll June 15, 1954 2,689,539 Lyon Sept. 21, 1954 2,707,449 Lyon May 3, 1955 2,878,769 Lyon Mar. 24, 1959 

